Felony charges for woman who fled Novi police

The 26-year-old Detroit woman who fled from Novi police earlier this month was arraigned Thursday on several charges.

A press release from Novi Chief of Police David Molloy said Chantell Lashay Sturdivant was arraigned before Magistrate Andra Richardson of the 52-1 District Court in Novi with one count of resist and obstruct, a 4-year felony; one count of flee and elude 4th degree, a 2-year felony; driving while license suspended, second offense; and reckless driving.

Sturdivant is being held in the Oakland County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

Novi Assistant Chief of Police Erick Zinser said Sturdivant was stopped March 7 for disobeying a traffic signal on Haggerty Road, north of 8 Mile. She had multiple warrants out for her arrest. There were two kids who appeared younger than 10 in the car with her. After Sturdivant was told she would be arrested, she said she wanted to get her cellphone from her car to make arrangements for the kids. Then, Zinser said, she refused to get back out of the car and started to drive away.

Dash cam footage showed the officer grabbed the woman through the open door as she started to drive away. He ran alongside the vehicle a short distance before letting go and tumbling to the ground.

Sturdivant was arrested March 11 by the U.S. Marshals Service in Georgia after she was found inside a hotel room in Cobb County that she rented using an alias.

Novi police drove down Wednesday to Georgia to take custody of her and bring her back to Michigan.

She was scheduled for a probable cause conference this morning before 52-1 District Court Judge Travis Reeds.